Phil Jagielka and John Stones shows best Performance
Team:
Everton’s defensive duo – Phil Jagielka and John Stones – once again showed why why their team were bookmaker favourites after putting in an extraordinary display in the recent game against Swansea.
Everton failed to secure a victory and could only manage a 0-0 draw, but it was the third clean sheet for the team in the opening six matches. Roberto Martinez went to great lengths in order to keep Stones at the club amidst interest from Chelsea during the summer. He is now rewarded with some excellent performances by the former Barnsley defender.
Martinez says that he would not be interested in swapping Stones and Jagielka for any other central defensive partnership in the league. One of the main priorities for Everton this season was to improve defensively and they have done exactly that with the partnership of Jagielka and Stones. It will become increasingly difficult to keep hold of the 21-year-old, who still has four years left on his contract. Even though he has handed an official transfer request, Stones has been playing regularly for the team and his performances have also been extremely professional. Swansea have been one of the in form teams in the Premier League this season and keeping them quiet has become a major feat.
“I don’t think there is a better pair of centre-backs in the Premier League.When you look at John Stones and the way he performs with maturity, the reason he is allowed to play the way he does is because of the influence of Jagielka.They are improving and John is improving to be able to learn how to perform under the most extreme circumstances.As a footballer you’ve got a human being who is inside you and the way he has coped with everything that has come his way has been incredible,” said Martinez.